Fiat’s return to the U.S. with the small Fiat 500 failed to meet the automaker’s sales expectations, but a new 500 variant may help. Olivier Francois, head of the Fiat brand recently confirmed plans to unveil a new five-door wagon version of the 500 at the Geneva Motor Show in March, which will be sold in the U.S. starting next year.
A larger version of the 500 may be more appealing to buyers that like the styling of the 500, but need more space and utility. Fiat had hoped to sell 50,000 500 models in 2011, but only managed to move 26,000 units. The wagon version of the 500 has been developed specifically for the U.S. market, but no other details have been released.